Mega Catamarans ALL INCLUSIVE Remote Paradise Beach Adventure

The best thing about this Puerto Vallarta cruise is that it combines three different days in one: a catamaran party, a private beach-club afternoon, and a jungle trip to the Quimixto waterfall. You can spend the day dancing with a drink in hand, or trade the beach chair for a kayak, paddleboard, hike, or ATV ride.

I like the strong value here. Your $135 covers breakfast, fruit, muffins, lunch, snacks, an open bar, port fees, and water equipment. I also like the freedom to set your own pace, with staff such as Papi Chulo, Alex, Dana, and Guadalupe keeping the group informed and entertained.

The main catch is the party atmosphere. Loud music is part of the package, and the waterfall walk can be steep, rough, and hot. Departure delays and uneven maintenance at the beach club have also affected some visits, so this is not the right pick if you want a quiet, polished resort day.

Quick takeaways before you book

• The waterfall is the day’s best adventure: Walk roughly 1.5 miles each way on a rough trail, or pay cash for an ATV ride.
• The price covers a lot: Breakfast, fruit, muffins, fajitas, guacamole, blue corn chips, drinks, port fees, and water toys are included.
• Expect a lively boat ride: Music, dancing, cocktails, and a social crew are central to the experience.
• Playa Chica Locca offers more than sand: You get an infinity pool, swim-up bar, shaded seating, kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling, and beach beds.
• Bring proper shoes and cash: The waterfall route is not a flip-flop stroll, and ATV or horseback rides cost extra.
• Nature sightings are possible but not promised: From December through April, look for humpback whales. Dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and seabirds can appear year-round.

A six-and-a-half-hour escape from Puerto Vallarta

This is a full-day outing by catamaran, with about 6 hours and 30 minutes on the schedule. The boat heads south from Puerto Vallarta toward the remote beach area of Playa Chica Locca and Quimixto, a coastal village reachable by boat.

The trip is limited to a maximum of 120 people, so do not picture a tiny private sailing trip. It is a shared excursion with a social, high-energy feel. The boat has two levels and shaded areas, but larger groups may have trouble finding seats together during the ride out. One group of 11 found the boat comfortable overall but had difficulty sitting as one party.

You must choose your meeting point before completing the booking. The departure point is Puerto Mágico at the cruise terminal, and public parking and port entry fees are included. Give yourself time to find the correct group, since several tours use the same area. One useful detail: you do not need to buy a separate port pass for this excursion.

The trip is often booked well ahead, about 26 days in advance on average. With a 4.9 rating from 470 ratings and recommendation from 96 percent of bookers, demand is strong, especially during the cooler months.

Breakfast, cocktails, and the ride south

The catamaran ride is not just transportation. It is part of the entertainment. Breakfast includes fruit, muffins, coffee, and juices, and the bar opens with water, soft drinks, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, and sparkling wine.

The menu is broad enough for people who do not drink. A vegetarian visitor noted that there were plenty of food and drink choices without pressure to join the drinking scene. That is useful to know because the atmosphere can be festive, but participation is up to you.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Papi Chulo, also identified as Isaias or Isaiah, is known for keeping people informed and involved in two languages. Alex, Luis, Dana, Guadalupe, Jared, and Captain Noah have also been singled out for friendly service, guiding, cocktails, and wildlife spotting. Crew assignments can change, but you can expect an active staff that checks on people often.

Keep your eyes on the water during the crossing. Humpback whales are most likely from December through April. Dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and seabirds may appear at any time. Sightings depend on nature, so treat them as a bonus, not part of the guarantee.

Playa Chica Locca: beach club comfort in a remote setting

The first major stop is Playa Chica Locca, a private beach area accessible only by boat. It has the feel of a beach club rather than an untouched strip of coast, with lounge chairs, shaded seating, an infinity pool, a swim-up bar, and service from the staff.

You are greeted with fresh guacamole and blue corn chips, followed by access to the open bar. This is a good moment to decide what sort of day you want. You can claim a shaded chair and do very little, or head for the water with the included equipment.

Water activities include:

• Kayaks
• Paddleboards
• Snorkel gear
• Swimming
• Other water toys

The setting is attractive, with jungle-covered hills and views across Banderas Bay. The beach itself can be rocky, and water conditions change. One rating noted rough, murky water with plenty of rocks, making snorkeling less impressive on that particular day. If snorkeling is your main goal, keep expectations modest. This outing is stronger as a mix of beach time, pool time, scenery, and social fun.

The pool is a major draw, especially for people who prefer a controlled swim to ocean water. It may feel cool, and some visitors prefer the sea. There have also been complaints about worn pool tiles, peeling paint, sharp edges near the bar, rust, and tired furniture. These issues do not define every visit, but they are worth knowing before you pay a premium for a polished beach-club experience.

Service at the beach is a highlight. Staff may bring drinks, snacks, and food directly to your chair, which makes the afternoon easy. Facilities, especially the bathrooms, have received strong praise for cleanliness and comfort. Beach towels are not included, so bring your own if you want one.

Quimixto and the waterfall choice

Quimixto gives the day its local and outdoor character. You can stay at the beach club, but the waterfall trip is the most distinctive option. The route passes through the small coastal community and into the jungle, offering a closer look at homes, local life, birds, and the rough terrain beyond the resort.

The walk takes about an hour each way according to the supplied details, with some people estimating roughly 1.5 miles. It includes a steep, uneven trail, and good walking shoes are important. Do not attempt it in flip-flops unless you are comfortable with slippery ground, rocks, and heat.

Dana has guided groups along this route, pointing out native birds and sharing information about the area. The payoff is a cool waterfall pool where you can swim. Life jackets are available for floating, and a small restaurant near the water serves drinks and coconuts for an extra charge.

The other choice is an ATV ride. It costs extra and must be paid in cash. One recent price was 500 pesos per person, though you should confirm the current amount. The ATV is driven by someone else, and up to two passengers can ride. It follows a rough route through jungle and water, and your shoes may get wet.

The ATV is a practical choice if you want to see the falls but do not want the full hike. It is not completely effortless, since you still need to manage a steep walk to reach the pickup point. Horseback riding may also be available through the confirmation link, with cash required, but availability can change.

The tradeoff is time. A waterfall visit takes away from beach-club time, kayaking, and the pool. If you want a relaxed day, stay at Playa Chica Locca. If you want the most memorable and active part of the trip, choose the waterfall.

Lunch, shade, and the return cruise

Lunch is a traditional fajita meal with chicken, beef, rice, beans, and tortillas. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, and gluten-free meals can be requested when you book. The food is generally considered one of the better parts of the experience.

Timing can be uneven. One visit received lunch around 2 p.m., later than expected, after only fruit and guacamole earlier in the day. If you tend to get hungry early, pack a small snack if port security rules allow it. Do not bring alcohol, liquids, drugs, electronic cigarettes, or vapes through the federal maritime port. Security searches are possible, and the no-drug policy is strict.

After lunch, you can return to the pool, beach, or water equipment before boarding. The ride back usually shifts into a louder party mode, with music, dancing, and the open bar continuing until Puerto Vallarta.

That mood is great for social groups, couples who like a festive day, and families comfortable around music and alcohol. It is less suitable if you want a calm sunset sail or a quiet nature trip. One person described loud music throughout the day with little place to escape it. Shaded areas help with the sun, but they do not remove the noise.

Is $135 a fair price?

At $135 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach near Puerto Vallarta. The value comes from the number of parts bundled into the day.

You receive:

• Catamaran transportation
• Breakfast and morning drinks
• Fruit and muffins
• Guacamole and chips
• Fajita lunch
• Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks
• Kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, and water toys
• Guided waterfall service
• Port entry fees
• Free public parking

A separate ATV ride, horseback ride, gratuity, hotel transport, and photos cost extra. The photo team takes candid and action pictures, and a digital album is shared within 24 hours, but photo services are not included in the tour price.

I think the price is reasonable if you will use several parts of the package. A couple that enjoys cocktails, water sports, the waterfall, and lunch is getting a full day of activity and food without having to arrange each piece separately. The value is weaker if you plan to sit quietly, skip alcohol, skip the waterfall, and avoid the water toys.

The boat itself may vary. One person who had taken another Chica Locca excursion expected a larger mega yacht and found this vessel smaller and less luxurious. The boat remains comfortable for the crossing, but do not book this expecting the same vessel every time.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want variety and do not mind a crowd. It works especially well for couples, friend groups, families with older children, and people who want a ready-made day with food, drinks, beach time, and optional adventure.

It is also a good fit for mixed groups. One person can paddleboard, another can use the pool, another can hike to the waterfall, and someone else can simply sit in the shade. Non-drinkers and vegetarians can participate comfortably, though the bar and music remain a major part of the setting.

I would think twice if you need quiet, guaranteed seating, a pristine resort, or a serious snorkeling location. People with limited walking ability should also ask questions before choosing the waterfall route, since the trail is steep and rough. Most people can take part in the main cruise and beach portion, but the waterfall hike is a different matter.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The tour depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Mega Catamarans Paradise Beach Adventure?

Book it if you want a high-energy all-inclusive day with plenty of choice. The combination of remote beach access, pool, water toys, waterfall, food, and drinks gives you more variety than a simple boat ride. The crew’s service is a real strength, and names such as Papi Chulo, Dana, Alex, and Guadalupe come up often for good reason.

Skip it if you want peace and quiet, a carefully maintained luxury club, or a smaller boat. Bring sunscreen, sturdy shoes, cash for the ATV, and patience for possible delays. If you accept the party atmosphere and use the included extras, $135 can buy one of the more complete day trips from Puerto Vallarta.

FAQ

What is included in the $135 price?

The price includes the catamaran trip, breakfast, fruit, muffins, coffee, juices, guacamole, blue corn chips, a fajita lunch, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, water toys, guided waterfall service, port fees, and free public parking.

Is the waterfall hike difficult?

The walk takes about an hour each way, with some descriptions estimating roughly 1.5 miles. The trail can be steep, rough, and wet, so sturdy walking shoes are recommended. You can instead pay cash for an ATV ride.

How much does the ATV ride cost?

A recent price was 500 pesos per person. The ride costs extra, payment is cash only, and someone else drives the ATV. Confirm the current price when booking.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included, along with kayaks, paddleboards, and other water toys. Water conditions can be rough or murky, and the beach area has rocks, so snorkeling quality may vary.

Can I book vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free food?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. Tell the operator about your dietary needs when booking.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, you can receive a full refund. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum group size causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.